Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Wisdom

Why do the same problems keep re-appearing?


Maybe it's because Lessons Reappear Until We Learn Them.


Some of us do the same thing over and over and still expect a different result.


Intelligence allows for making new mistakes and learning from them, instead of repeating the old ones.


The more we live, the more we learn, the more adaptable we should become and the fewer mistakes we should repeat.


Learning requires change; dying to the old, giving birth to the new.

However, Nothing really Changes until We do.


Because our attention is often distracted, obscured, or lost in thought, we fail to notice many things. That is why the ability to pay attention to what is arising in any given moment - to our Actions and their Results - is one of the basic principles of living on purpose.


Failures and unwanted outcomes MUST serve to Generate new Behavior and Different Approaches.


The only real Failure is the Failure to Learn from our mistakes.


"Awareness of a Problem is Half the solution."


"The Wise Learn from Adversity; the Foolish Repeat it."


Until we become AWARE of our Actions & Attitudes we are destined to Re-peat our behavior patterns and their Consequences.


Recurring problems in our lives point to lessons not yet learned.


We know we've learned a lesson when our actions change.


Insights are powerless without behavioral change!


Knowledge + Prayer = Wisdom


Wisdom + Application = Transformation


Let's keep Growing!


See you in Church.


Mark & Deb


Be smart Read the attached Study - WISDOM

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Relationships

A Connection; Behavior or Feelings toward somebody else:

The connection between two or more people or groups and their involvement with one another, especially the way they behave toward and feel about one another.

Why are my “Connections” with other human-beings so “Complicated”?

Why are some people “Better” at these “Connections”?

If I “Worked” at these “Connections” would I be Happier? Healthier?

How “Important” are my Connection “Choices”?

Ninety Percent of the art of living consists of getting along with people.

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity. ~Proverbs 17:17

Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate, ~Proverbs 22:24

Do you want to know how to get others to like you? Like them first! ~J. Maxwell

My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me. ~Benjamin Disraeli

Author John Maxwell describes “The Four Levels Of Relationships.”

1. Surface Relationships: The most common of all relationships are ones that never go below the surface. There is no strong commitment from either person, and there is often a passive approach to one another. Though this type of relationship does not reward a person with great depth, it provides the foundation for all other kinds of relationships.

2. Structured Relationships: These types of relationships are built on routine encounters. They may be tied to a specific place or time, or they may be the result of common interest or activities.

3. Secure Relationships: When people reach a certain comfort level with each other and begin to share more of themselves with one another, they begin to develop trust. They often desire to spend more time together. It is at this level that friendships are tested.

4. Solid Relationships: These are the highest of all relationships. They occur when people share complete trust and confidentiality. That leads to a desire to serve and give to one another, and the forging of long-term relationships.

We all need better “People Skills.”

Attached is a fabulous Study ~ Paper on “Emotional Intelligence.”

Emotional intelligence is an awareness of your actions and feelings – and how they affect those around you. It also means that you value others, listen to their wants and needs, and are able to empathize or identify with them on many different levels.

I Promise you it is worth the 6 minutes it will take to read it!

Deb & I consider you our Friends.

Thanks for the Friendship!

See You In Church.

“Emotional Intelligence.”

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Springtime

I know it doesn’t sound Macho but can I tell you, I just Love Springtime!


The winter has passed, and out of its frost and frigidness comes Renewal.


A second chance if you will. A Rebirth of Life!


Our journey on planet Earth is often times like this…….Think about it.


Our Challenges are what has made us Grow.


The chill of a relationship gone sour. The coldness of loneliness. The Frozenness of despair or depression. The stabbing icicles of rejection by a “Friend.” The frigidness of failure. The coldness of Death; physical or spiritual…..











Mr. Freeze shows up and it appears as though the smile of summertime is dead.

But wait Springtime comes along and pushes the frost aside and a Renewal takes place!

I don’t like it, you don’t like it but it is the truth. Adversity and psychological suffering stimulate a yearning to transcend our frozen condition and wake up to find the greater wisdom, the greater good that will Revitalize our lives and our souls.

Life’s “Challenges” can be our greatest lessons. From them the flowers of Faith can bloom. The kind of Faith that only grows in difficult soil. Life changing. Mind Transforming faith!!!!

Learning about others helps us to Succeed.

Learning about ourselves helps us to Evolve.

Learning about The Holy Spirit helps us to “Transform.”

To change somebody or something completely, especially improving their appearance or usefulness.

This is what God wants to do for YOU!

So if you seek adventure, learn to pay attention to the seasons of life, pay close attention to each new spring day. Find the miraculous within the mundane.

A new bud, a new leaf, a new flower that was not there yesterday on your way to your boring little day at work. See it, notice it, and rejoice in it.

In the same way, if you push past the frost of your fears and failures you will begin to “SEE” ………..signs of a New Life!!!!!

See it. Notice it. Rejoice in it! God Does….

And so do Deb & I

You Are Not Who You Used To Be!

See you in Church…. (And could you post a “Comment” just tell us who and “Where” you are?)

DO NOT MISS THIS BIBLE STUDY!!! “Renewal”